Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley missed his first game of the season against Indiana

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Garrett Hudson intercepts a pass intended for Luke Timian of Indiana in the first quarter in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)Buy Photo

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Garrett Hudson's first career interception set up Purdue's first touchdown

Not with the type of season Purdue’s starting middle linebacker was enjoying. He led the team in tackles and was tied with Danny Ezechukwu in tackles for loss prior to Saturday’s showdown against Indiana.

Bentley didn’t play because of an undisclosed injury, a surprise development that became known about an hour before kickoff. Garrett Hudson stepped in and the Boilermakers didn’t miss much of a beat.

Hudson’s impact came on the first play. The fifth-year senior middle linebacker intercepted quarterback Richard Lagow, setting up Purdue’s first touchdown. It was Hudson's first career interception.

“Garrett is an experienced player. He’s played a lot of football, a fifth-year senior,” cornerback Da’Wan Hunte said following the 31-24 victory over the Hoosiers. “When he’s out there, we trust in him. That’s trusting anybody that’s on the field.”

For a team that lacks depth up and down the roster, the Boilermakers have inserted the right backups at the right time to fill voids. Hudson is just the latest example. He also filled in for the injured T.J. McCollum midway through the season.

“A sign of a great team is when your backups and your reserves can come in, step forward and get it done,” first-year coach Jeff Brohm said. “That’s what we’ve tried to build here – some depth at every position, so that when an injury happens the next guy can step in and be ready.”

Bentley is expected to be ready when the Boilermakers play their first bowl game since 2012 next month. In fact, his teammates were determined to make sure Bentley’s last game wasn’t on the sidelines.

“Whatever I have to do for him to suit up again in his black and gold and play whoever we’ve got to play, I’m going to do it,” Ezechukwu said. “I’m happiest for him. I’m happy about the Bucket, I’m happy about the fans but I’m happiest for Ja’Whaun.”

His fake pass, run, then pass to Mike Little for 22 yards in the second quarter provided another example of his athletic ability.

“Joe is one of those sleeper athletes,” linebacker Markus Bailey said. “Everyone thinks he’s a punter; he can’t do this or do that. I think he ran a 4.6 (40-yard dash) in one of the springs.”

The Cathedral graduate is now 2-for-2 passing for 44 yards on two fake punts. He also ran for 13 yards to pick up a first down at Rutgers and induced a pass interference call against Nebraska on a pass attempt.

It wasn’t until Schopper appeared on Brohm’s weekly radio show that he started to learn more about the Indianapolis native. Schopper was a defensive back at Cathedral when the Irish won four straight state titles.

“He’s a better athlete than you think,” Brohm said. “Luckily, we became aware of it.”

Crowd factor

The Boilermakers averaged 48,953, the largest since 2013. Purdue averaged 13,433 more fans compared to last season, the largest increase in the nation.

Saturday’s game drew 52,105, boosted by a high volume of ticket sales after the Nov. 18 win at Iowa.

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Purdue won the Old Oaken Bucket and qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2012.
Mike Carmin/Journal and Courier

"This game, they showed up,” Brohm said. “It’s a holiday weekend, they were into the game. This was a great moment, not only for our team, but our university and our fans.”

On the road

Brohm and the coaching staff will hit the recruiting trail the next three weeks. They’ll visit current commitments and look to fill out the rest of the 2018 class.

The momentum of winning the Old Oaken Bucket and qualifying for a bowl game should be well received around the state and the country.

“It’s huge. I think it’s something we can build on,” Brohm said. “When you’re able to advance to a bowl game and highlight your team in a bowl setting, where your recruits and the fans can see it and be a part of it and the players can enjoy it, that’s what football is all about.

“This is a big step for us. I think our guys will enjoy this bowl game and I want them to because they’ve earned it and we’ll go out there and cut it loose and have fun.”

Early signing

Purdue has 23 known commitments heading into the early signing period, which runs Dec. 20-22.

Brohm expects all of the current commitments to sign next month.

“A lot of our commitments that we have, without question, we expect them to sign in the early signing period,” Brohm said last week. “We’ll react accordingly if they don’t but I feel good about it. We’ve done a good job, our coaches have been in constant communication.”

Garrett Hudson intercepts a pass intended for Luke Timian of Indiana in the first quarter in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue runs for a touchdown at 12:08 in the first quarter against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue runs reacts after rushing for a touchdown at 12:08 in the first quarter agianst Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue celebrates with his teammates after rushing for a touchdown at 12:08 in the first quarter against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Simmie Cobbs of Indiana celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown against Purdue at 4:14 in the first quarter in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Mike Little of Purdue with a pass reception as the Boilermakers fake a punt against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Mike Little of Purdue with a pass reception as the Boilermakers fake a punt against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Rashard Fant of Indiana is whistled for pass interference as he covers Anthony Mahoungou of Purdue in the first half of the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue rushes for a touchdown at 4:49 in the second quarter against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue rushes for a touchdown at 4:49 in the second quarter against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue celebrates with D.J. Knox after rushing for a touchdown at 4:49 in the second quarter against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Anthony Mahoungou of Purdue with a touchdown reception in the second quarter against Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Markell Jones of Purdue with a second half run against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Markell Jones of Purdue with a second half run against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Markell Jones of Purdue is knocked out of bounds by Chase Dutra of Indiana after a long gain in the second half Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Markell Jones of Purdue lets out a scream after a long gain in the second half against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Isaac Zico of Purdue celebrates with Terry Wright after his touchdown reception at 12:32 in the third quarter against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Isaac Zico of Purdue celebrates with Terry Wright after his touchdown reception at 12:32 in the third quarter against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

The Purdue student section begins to celebrate as victory over rival Indiana is only a matter of minutes away Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

The Purdue student section breaks out bowls as victory over rival Indiana is only a matter of minutes away Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Garrett Hudson celebrates with his teammates and fans after Purdue defeated Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Garrett Hudson returns an interception in the first quarter against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Danny Ezechukwu of Purdue celebrates with his teammates after fielding an onside kick by Indiana late in the fourth quarter Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Danny Ezechukwu of Purdue fields an onside kick by Indiana late in the fourth quarter Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Isaac Zico of Purdue is mobbed by teammates after his touchdown reception in second half against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Isaac Zico of Purdue with a second half touchdown reception against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Markell Jones of Purdue with a big second half gain against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Markell Jones of Purdue with a big second half gain against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Anthonh Mahoungou can’t get a handle on a pass reception in the second half against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Markell Jones with a second half run against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Anthony Mahoungou of Purdue celebrates after a first half touchdown reception against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Anthony Mahougou with a first half touchdown reception against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Markell Jones with a second half run against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue reaches to secure a first down in the second half against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm has words for an official as the Boilermakers battle Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Purdue players raise their hands as they await a call that was being reviewed in the first half against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Jackson Anthrop of Purdue celebrates with teammates after scoring in the first quarter against Indiana Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers defeated rival Indiana 31-24 to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C